Cholesterol and Statins
We doctors often like to think of ourselves as knowing and rational but we’re fallible and sometimes gullible just like everyone. Just look and see how easily we lap up drug-industry sponsored research and PR relating to all ‘wonder-drugs’ and other advances. Often, drugs are licensed and marketed on the basis of their impact on […]
Cholesterol and Statins
Last year, I wrote a blog post about an advertorial which appeared in the Telegraph newspaper which featured the apparent effects Flora pro-activ drinks had on supposed ‘journalist’ Chris Jones’ cholesterol levels. I couldn’t trace Chris Jones, and although I was promised that her identity would be verified, this never happened. I did get an […]
Cholesterol and Statins
I’ve had a few emails today alerting me to reports of a study concerning the use of statins in healthy individuals. The study in question is a meta-analysis (grouping together of similar studies) of statin trials [1]. Part of this meta-analysis involved assessing the impact of statin therapy in individuals deemed to be at relatively […]
Cholesterol and Statins
Harlan Krumholz is a professor of medicine and cardiologist at the at Yale University School of Medicine. He recently co-authored an open letter which appeared in the journal circulation (pdf here). The letter was written to the Adult Treatment Panel – a group of ‘experts’ charged with setting cholesterol guidelines for the American public. The […]
Cholesterol and Statins
In the UK, the most popular ‘drugs bible’ goes by the name of the British National Formulary (BNF). Within its pages is found a wealth of information about pills and potions that are available over-the-counter and by prescription, including indications and advice of dosages. A significant proportion of the pages in the BNF are taken […]
Cholesterol and Statins
While cholesterol remain possibly the most vilified natural and essential body constituent, and we are encouraged to put constant downward pressure on our cholesterol levels, it should perhaps not be forgotten that low levels of cholesterol are associated with enhanced risk of death. Low cholesterol is associated with an enhanced risk of specific health issues […]
Cholesterol and Statins
Earlier this week saw the holding of the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting in Chicago. Quite a lot of media interest in this scientific meeting centred on the drug currently going by the name of REGN727. It’s an injectable drug, and it lowers levels of supposedly unhealthy ‘LDL’ cholesterol. It does this, apparently, by […]
Cholesterol and Statins
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US is responsible for making decisions about which drugs should be licensed. It also keeps a database of information regarding the adverse effects of drugs, and occasionally revises the warnings issued with prescription medication. Earlier this week, the FDA issued new guidelines regarding the management of individuals […]
Cholesterol and Statins
I came across this short video today (below). It mainly concerns some research just out which found that in a huge group of postmenopausal women, statin use was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes [1]. I saw ‘associated’ because this study was ‘epidemilogical’ in nature, meaning that it’s only good for looking […]
Cholesterol and Statins
What should we eat before exercise, the impact food has on cholesterol is irrelevant, lower-carb diet best for women with PCOS. For RSS feeds, click onhere.